Observations on music, culture and life

Underground Radio in the late 1960’s

I grew up on radio. I can remember having a spirited discussion with a classmate in the third grade about which New York AM DJ’s played the best music.

I discovered FM radio in 1968. At this time there was an FCC rule that stations couldn’t have the same programming on FM as they had on AM radio. So, since AM radios were ubiquitous – every car had one – they kept their top 40 pop music on the AM band. Until about 1966 FM was home mostly to classical music and middle of the road muzak like you would hear in doctors office waiting rooms.

One early pioneer of free form underground programming in New York was WBAI, Pacifica radio. Bob Dylan would occasionally drop by to converse with Bob Fass and even take phone calls. This was the station to listen to if you were active in counterculture politics and wanted to know where the next protest was going to be. However, WBAI was listener supported, so they couldget away with this.

In 1966, WOR FM decided to try an experiment. AM DJ’s Murray the K (Kaufman), Scott Muni, Rosko, and Johnny Michaels would play songs that they thought had potential, rather than the top sellers. They were the first to play Procol Harum’s Whiter Shade of Pale, for example. Murray the K’s show was particularly successful (for FM) and was influential in introducing many rock artists who would not have been played on AM.

But soon, consultants were hired and they tried to censor what was played. First, Murray the K quit and then Rosko (who quit on the air, explaining his reasons for doingso) , and Scott Muni, and Johnny Michaels.

Both Rosko and Muni went to WNEW, where they decided to launch their own experiment. This is where I first heard the type of rock, folk, blues, and soul music that was not being played on mainstream radio.

While AM stations preferred two and a half minute songs ( so they could fit more commercials in) FM rock stations in 1968 would play In A Gadda Da Vida for 17 minutes. I always imagined that the DJ’s would go to the bathroom or out for pizza while this was playing.

Others soon followed WNEW. Ialso remember listening to Brother John on WABC FM, later WPLJ, as well as jazz station WRRV. WPLJ, like WNEW would carry live broadcasts of concerts, as well as live performances from recording studios. WPLJ was the source for Elton John’s live album 11-17-70. They also hosted the Allman Brothers live from A&R studios, while WNEW broadcast the closing of the Fillmore East and Bruce Springsteen at the Bottom Line.

WNEW FM had a good run. I remember when Abbey Road was released they played the entire album, only pausing between sides. Scott Muni would had many artists, such as John Lennon and the Grateful Dead, come on his show to hang out and even DJ. Rosko would read politically charged poetry between songs. Jonathan Schwartz had impeccable taste in music – his father was a composer of Broadway and Film scores. And, of course, there was Allison Steele, for whom Jimi Hendrix wrote one of his last songs, Nightbird Flying.

This era of unscripted programming without playlists couldn’t last in a capitalist system. It is now relegated to college stations.

Below is my playlist for underground radio circa 1968 – 69. Of course I will randomize the order. These are songs that I remember hearing at the time and that I have copies of. You may, in hindsight see some omissions, for example, Led Zeppelin’s first album. Actually, this didn’t receive much airplay. Their reputation spread by live performance until the second album. Frank Zappa, likewise, wasn’t played on the radio, ironically, until one of his most salacious albums, Live From The Fillmore East was released. I also don’t have some albums from the era. Please, comment and let me know if you have any favorites that were left out.

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3 thoughts on “Underground Radio in the late 1960’s”

I lived in NYC (Queens) between 1969 and 1973 and yes, it was a great time for radio as well as concerts. I heard that Elton John WPLJ thing as it was being broadcast. He was a rocker back then. I did go to the Fillmore a few times but alas, missed the final show. I wasn’t aware it was broadcast. Has that been preserved anywhere? Scott Muni, Jonathan Schwarz, Alliston Steele – yeah, listened to them all. Also used to go the Schaefer Central Park shows which is where, among others, I first saw the original Allman Brothers Band.

I also remember one station – can’t remember which one – maybe doing a fundraiser and them playing ‘Layla’ pretty relentlessly. So while the world had not yet caught up to that album, it was definitely hot there.

I eventually moved to Boston and listened to another great pillar of underground radio, the late lamented WBCN. There is a book out about that station during that era called ‘Radio Free Boston’ which is on my to-read list. Anyway, thanks for the memories.

I grew up in Detroit…attended Wayne State U. which was one of the more “left” and liberal U’s in the country.. Listened to WABX…legendary FM station. I did find the heyday of underground radio was say, 1967 to 1969 as commercialism slowly but surely creeped in and eventually took over..as early as 1970.

I am still fascinated with that period of time….flower power…rise of FM radio…race riots close to home..blacklights!

I have a thumb with about 1000 entries of music, commercials, and misc from that period. Since there was not a wealth of WABX airchecks out there, I have included airchecks personalities, ads, from various FM around the country. It all plays like it did back then…if I goofed anywhere, you can’t find it.